Mugabe fires deputy in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe has fired the country’s vice president, Joice Mujuru.

In a statement released by the government said Mugabe fired Ms Mujuru and eight other cabinet ministers with immediate effect.

Mr Mugabe has recently accused Ms Mujuru of plotting to assassinate him and has branded her a witch.

Ms Mujuru and her allies were kicked out of their senior positions in the ruling party, Zanu-PF, at a meeting last weekend. The 90-year-old president said he would, however, allow them to retain ordinary membership of the party.

The ministers of energy, education, public service and social welfare, presidential affairs, communication and postal services were among those fired.

Ms Mujuru is the first vice president to be fired since Mr Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980. Her four predecessors all died in office.